Where does the Humane Society of Harford County get its funding?

The Humane Society of Harford County (HSHC), Inc. is an independent, 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. We are not a department of Harford county government nor do we receive any funding from The Humane Society of the United States.

Our operating expenses are approximately one million dollars annually.  We receive 45% of this funding from Harford County Government as a fee for services provided.  HSHC is contracted  as an open admission shelter taking in all stray animals from the Harford County community through the government’s division of Animal Control and from the general public.  Although Harford County funds 45% of our budget – more than 78% of the animals brought to our facility are stray Harford County animals.

We must generate $550,000 per year just to keep our gates open.  Nearly 28% of our revenue is generated through fee services (adoptions, surrender fees, impound fees, etc.), 18% through fundraising events, grants and bequests, 9% are general donations, and 1% from our retail sales.

All donations to The Humane Society of Harford County are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

We have done a great job during the past year examining our business practices and have been able to decrease our expenses in a number of areas.  Expenses in other areas, however, have continued to skyrocket.  Plans are underway to build a new facility within the next couple of years.

We are in need of community support now more than ever as we need to create a building fund that will help us to fund the additional expenses that a new facility will create.  Please help us to help the stray, abused and homeless animals of Harford County by making a tax-deductible contribution today.